My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at

cake is

with her hand, she lifted a knife and a

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to

the group, which happened to be a

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her eyes and

blow

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at

wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the

you!” their

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first

Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

then. It’s been getting

she turned and headed toward the

apartment

slam, the door was propped open by a large hand

saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

on

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying

“I see you’ve been getting along fine

took two steps back. Why

he pulled off his necktie and

you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

by step he approached her, forcing her back

had no idea what she

and pulled, she staggered after him and